If you read either of the articles in this post, read this one about creating corridors for jaguars in Costa Rica. This is why I loved studying biogeography and have such a hard time deciding on a career in geography versus a career in the medical field - I just love this stuff! According to the article, "scientists have realized that connecting corridors are needed because many species rely for survival on the migration of a few animals from one region to another, to intermix gene pools and to repopulate areas devastated by natural disasters or disease. Placing animals in isolated preserves, studies have found, decreases diversity and risks dulling down a species." We need to do everything we can to save these species. By clearing land, we are destroying THEIR HOMES to build ours so we need to take responsibility for our actions. I get really frustrated when people complain about wild animals coming into urban areas or farms. Where else are they supposed to go when we took their land from them? Animals cannot speak for themselves when their homes are cleared for human benefit. I wish we could all learn to coexist with our fellow creatures on Earth. These beautiful, amazing animals need to be cherished and recognized for their value, otherwise we will lose them before we know it.
Too often when we think of Africa, the first things that come to mind are all the negative stereotypes of poverty, famine, and war. It is easy to look past the cultural and environmental treasures throughout Africa. This is a nice article about Gabon and their attempts to preserve their land. conservation efforts unfortunately sometimes conflict with local interests, but hopefully Gabon will be able to find a balance between the two. If they do develop an ecotourism industry,, I'm sure I will go there some day!
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